You said it. Did they learn it?
You finish explaining. Someone nods. You ask, “Do you understand?” They say yes. A few minutes later, they do something different.
How many times have you called someone confused when you had only explained something, not checked whether they learned it?
A nod is easy to give. It may mean “I heard you”, “I think so”, or “I would rather not hold everyone up”. None of those tells you what the person can do next.
The useful evidence comes a moment later: when they explain the next step in their own words, make a choice, or try it without your help.
Saying something is not the same as teaching it.
TRY THIS 01 SMALL EXPERIMENT
In one conversation today, replace “Do you understand?” with “Tell me what you think you need to do next.” Listen before explaining again.
Today, or the next time it happens.A question from Jana’s collection